Eight years later, NFL Network still isn’t truly national

The NFL is the most powerful television property in the country. Tens of millions of people will watch any game that is aired, even if Curtis Painter starts at quarterback.

Yet when NFL Network broadcasts its Thursday night schedule this year, the games likely won’t be available to the entire country.

John Ourand of SportsBusiness Journal writes that Time Warner Cable and the NFL Network are unlikely to reach an agreement once again this year. A contentious meeting last Friday ended without an agreement for NFL Network or NFL Redzone.

The two sides reportedly got closer to a deal this year, but no plans for future talks have been scheduled.

This embarrassment has now lasted almost a decade for the league.

We’ve heard the league blame Time Warner, but that’s like a coach blaming the weather or an opponent for a loss. The reason behind the lack of a distribution doesn’t matter to the NFL fan. And make no mistake: it’s a huge annual defeat that NFL Network isn’t fully available in New York City, where the league is headquartered.

We’ve heard the league tout Verizon-Fios as another option for cable in New York, but it’s not available in the majority of the city. (Including my building.) And that doesn’t solve all the other Time Warner dominated areas of the country.

The league’s network has done an incredible job creating outstanding programming, but the NFL should not own a channel available in fewer homes than MLB Network, the Golf Channel, and Speed.

Ultimately, the league must know they are on a nasty, unexpected losing streak with this issue. It can’t help NFL Network’s chances of landing another package of games when the next television contracts are handed out.

What I hate is how the NFL network has taken over the December Saturday night games- they were a treat on a cold, cold night.

mctuthill33 says:Oct 14, 2011 10:32 AM

It is absolutely maddening to go without NFL Network – I had it for a while when I lived in a Comcast-serviced area and loved it. Now I live in the city, and, like the author, my building offers only Time Warner and dishes aren’t allowed. I’d rather watch nothing than wade through Sportscenter for the half-assed Blitz segments. What the hell is taking so long?

I actually dont blame the league for this, i’ve heard the real issue isnt necessarily money but the fact that the NFL wants NFL Network to be right next to ESPN and the mainstream sports channels in Time Warner’s lineup. Time Warner has always wanted to offer it as some sort of HD Premium Tier or Sports Package. Time Warner is stiff with the networks in negotiation, just look at the standoffs they’ve had with Fox over the last couple years.

BTW ESPN remains the most expensive channel to have in anyone’s lineup, interesting fact.

…but I hate it when there are posts like this, where you guys basically try telling the league what to do. It happened all throughout the lockout, and a few other times with fines and suspensions, and a few other times just in general… and you need to realize that you guys do nothing but collect and re-post stories – that’s your role. You don’t have a say in league matters… you don’t have sources of your own that you ever report on… you keep your finger on various pulses, and compile them.

When there are posts like this, where you basically get a tone like “Hey League, I’m unhappy about this, so change it, or else I’ll put out the bad word because I have a website” just comes off as childish and self-imposing

Actually, outside of game replays, the programming on NFLN is sub-par, imo. TWC has long ago absorbed whatever subscription hit they are going to take over this years ago! There is no incentive for them to cave to the NFLN extortion! The ball is in the NFL’s court here!

With all due respect, the only time the NFL Network is worth watching when they have live games. The highlights and analysis of all the other games can be found elsewhere. Outside of those live games, the NFL Network isn’t half as good as it could be.

The offseason would be a great time to show some historic NFL games, and not just Super Bowls. And instead, what do we get? Top ten greatest (fill in the blank) which have been rerun more times than anyone can count, and one-hour specials on all the Super Bowl teams. That’s it.

Why not show some of the old time classic playoff battles from the 1960s going forward? What about those classic Steelers-Raiders playoff games from the 1970s (not just the Immaculate Reception game), or the numerous Cowboys-Vikings-Rams playoff battles from that same decade? We never see old playoff battles between the 49ers, Redskins and Giants from the 1980s. Why not?

Instead of watching the same shows rerun countless times during the offseason, the NFL network could make far better use of it’s NFL Films cache than it is currently doing. But until that happens, everything that gets broadcast on NFL network can be see elsewhere (outside of those few live broadcasts).

I think all NFL games should be on fox/cbs/abc/nbc. with this economy there is a growing number of people opting out of pay tv altogether. At least if it’s on one of those channels almost everyone would beable to watch the games. TV packages are woth more if more people have access to the channel.

People need to realize the NFL is in this for the $$ and not for appeasing the majority.

howley1 says:Oct 14, 2011 10:56 AM

Count me as one person that blames Time Warner. I also blame Time Warner for not making sure that I can have 4 digital boxes and reliable internet at the same time and telling me that I would have to open a separate account if I wanted reliable service from both. That’s ultimately why I dumped them for TV, the NFLN thing was just another straw on that camel’s already broken back.

The last time I was able to get NFLN was in 2006, when I had Comcast service in Michigan. Since then, I’ve had the misfortune of being in TWC or Bright House service areas with trees blocking my view of the southern sky, making satellite not even an option.

motowncool says:Oct 14, 2011 10:59 AM

Way better than ESPN and Fox for pregame. Plus the NFL Total Access is good nightly. Prime, Warren, Mooch and even Irving are great. Not too fond of Faulk.

duanethomas says:Oct 14, 2011 10:59 AM

Southpaw wrote….”and you need to realize that you guys do nothing but collect and re-post stories – that’s your role.

While they might not be national, they are a staple in my DirecTv diet. It is pretty much all I watch. The only bad thing is that in order for me to be eligible to receive NFLN I have to have the $60 packs, which for the most part goes to waste because my wife hardly watches TV, and I have it on NFLN most of the time. The only time I turn to BSPN is when a game is on.

With all due respect, the only time the NFL Network is worth watching when they have live games. The highlights and analysis of all the other games can be found elsewhere. Outside of those live games, the NFL Network isn’t half as good as it could be.

This guy is absolutely right. No need to rerun his post.
On the other hand Time Warner Hostages, I pay an extra $ 6.00 a month for the Red Zone, which is worth every penny!
Who says we don’t have quality football in Jax. It just comes on the TV from other cities.

hitdog042 says:Oct 14, 2011 11:04 AM

Ishallcomment is a dork. TW doesnt offer it period. No matter how much you pay.

Amazing the level of intelligence….

mongobo says:Oct 14, 2011 11:05 AM

Perhaps they should make a free NFL Network app available for every smart TV, Game console, DVD player, set top box, tablet, and phone. Stream the Network, and remove cable providers from the equation.

If people today can watch MLB content on an XBox, or an NHL game on an AppleTV, the NFL Network should be absolutely everywhere 24/7…

Stream the Network, leave in the commercials, and drastically increase the value of ad space with more viewers.

I’m no apologist for the League, but Time-Warner shouldn’t get a pass for being so incredibly tone-deaf and infuriatingly obstinate. That company is probably the worst major corporation I’ve ever had to deal with in my life. I recently moved and was finally able to switch TV providers (no free advertising for the new company, though), and I can’t tell you how happy I am not to have to deal with the idiots at Time-Warner anymore.

clintonportisheadd says:Oct 14, 2011 11:07 AM

Without the NFL Network, one half of the players who retired in the last 5 years would be out of a job.

I can live without Kermit the Frog sound alike Fran Charles and Alfred E Newman lookalike Andrew Siciliano though….

stixzidinia says:Oct 14, 2011 11:08 AM

Ahhhhh poor NFL. They don’t get to have their little propaganda network on in every home. I feel SO bad for them. And oh the poor souls out in the real world who can’t get their daily fix……..brainless lemmings that they are.

Why not show some of the old time classic playoff battles from the 1960s going forward? What about those classic Steelers-Raiders playoff games from the 1970s (not just the Immaculate Reception game), or the numerous Cowboys-Vikings-Rams playoff battles from that same decade? We never see old playoff battles between the 49ers, Redskins and Giants from the 1980s. Why not?

—————————————–

They will show old playoff games starting around January or so to hype the Super Bowl. I only pay attention to the old Cowboys games but I know they show others. I was able to snag the Ice Bowl and the ’92 NFC Championship against the 49ers.

Also, anyone who has ever had to deal with Time Warner about ANYTHING knows that there is a 99% chance this is their fault. They are the freakin WORST.

AlanSaysYo says:Oct 14, 2011 11:13 AM

Hilarious that you try to shift most of the blame on the NFL for this. This is probably the first time I’ve seen anyone defend a cable company. If the majority of cable and satellite providers in the country have come to an agreement with the NFL Network, and if you’re right in saying that the lack of NFL Network in NYC is a huge embarrassment for the league, then how is it the NFL’s fault that this hasn’t happened yet? You think they’re asking for more from TWC than other providers? No, it’s TWC that’s the problem.

Cable companies like to defend their refusals to carry a channel by saying it would raise the price for their customers, but they won’t talk about how they subsidize their investments in infrastructure for their internet and VOIP operations by overcharging their television customers. You want the NFL to cave and give TWC a discount? You should consider the kind of precedent that sets.

I think all NFL games should be on fox/cbs/abc/nbc. with this economy there is a growing number of people opting out of pay tv altogether. At least if it’s on one of those channels almost everyone would beable to watch the games. TV packages are woth more if more people have access to the channel.

————————————————-

Excellent point! I dropped cable two years ago to save money. Now, I subscribe to NFL Game Rewind, paying for what I want, not what I never watch. I’d like to see all the games back on the accessible networks.

NFL Network isn’t great except for the games they have live. The real channel you need is NFL RedZone. That is by far the best thing going on Sunday afternoons. It absolutely destroy’s having the NFL Sunday ticket, unless you are trying to find a team that you cheer for out of market. It doesn’t just show teams in the RedZone it will show whole drives and take you all over the league. Oh, and it’s commercial free for the whole Sunday. That is what you should be crying about and not NFL Network.

Nevis says:Oct 14, 2011 11:23 AM

Still better than EastCoastSPN.

jjbadd says:Oct 14, 2011 11:23 AM

Thats why i wish i could program my Directv Access card. Ahhh.. those were the days! I could watch anything including ppv free, and it was fun calling Directv, & having them tell me certain channels weren’t available to me, while i was watching it as we spoke! TV is sposed to be free! Where’s my ladder?

curveluva says:Oct 14, 2011 11:30 AM

Just get a dish or move if you cant absolutely no reason to have to suffer with cable

peytonwantsaflag says:Oct 14, 2011 11:34 AM

I think the Wall Street rioters should add this to their demands – they probably only care about Soccer though.

finsfan71 says:Oct 14, 2011 11:40 AM

NFL Network channel 212 Directv, get with the program people.

hound32 says:Oct 14, 2011 11:40 AM

I Had to move and had Direct TV . Where i moved to doesent allow dishes . the NFL Is being overly greedy on all of this me thinks . just cut a deal with the cable networks or does Direct TV Pay them not to ?

This isn’t the only area where the NFL’s desire to maximize profits makes for a crappy fan experience. The decision to sell exclusive rights for NFL Sunday Ticket to DirecTv ensures that fans who desire it must pay an exorbitant price, because there is no market competition. And even if you have DirecTv, you can’t get the NFL’s RedZone channel. You can get DirecTv’s substitute (purposely named similarly) instead, but only if you subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket.

Whatever the case, NFL Network is a million times better than ESPN’s coverage.

kappy32 says:Oct 14, 2011 11:45 AM

Cablevision/Optimum TV in NY as well. However, from what I understand from a family member who is is in upper-level management at Cablevision, it’s the cable company that is the bad guy in this battle despite their public position that’s it’s the NFL. NFL offered the network to Cablevision at a price slightly higher than other sports networks shown on their basic cable package, but still less than ABC/ESPN. Nevertheless, Cablevision would only agree to air the network on it’s premium cable packages, while the NFL insisted that it be provided to all basic customers. Cablevision was attempting to make almost 400% profit off airing the NFL Network & the NFL ended negotiations over the disagreement. My understanding is that the NFL wants it’s network to reach every customer who prescribes to the provider & save face by not appearing to charge extra for the channel while Cablevision was focused on maximizing it’s profit at the expense of their customer base. It’s nothing new for James Dolan; just look at the ticket prices for Ranger (NHL) and Knick games. He also needs to supplement his income somehow due to all the terrible moves both his sports teams have made over the past 5-10 years. I am convinced that each time the Rangers/Knicks enter into a bad player contract, my cable/online prices go up.

gmenmunny says:Oct 14, 2011 11:48 AM

You also know that CableVision doesn’t have it either, right? They cover Tri-State also. Trust me, I’ve been stuck in jersey too long.

Wow did not realize how long I’ve been a Dish Network customer.
Made the switch so I could watch NFLN.
Still remember the TW cust Serv Rep when I cancelled, she said I’d be back.
That was 7 years ago.
Wonder what decade she thouhgt I’d be back?

Though I do feel for people living in the City that cannot have a dish. That sucks.

I agree with fwippel, if they would show the old Earl Campbell & the Oilers vs the Steel Curtain Steelers defense of the late 70’s, or games from Walter Payton’s rookie year, or the game when he rushed for 275 yards on November 20, 1977 against the Vikings.

I called MTC and asked them that a while back and they said they didn’t know. I am tired of the top 10 lists, but their pre-game show is top notch. They need more old games other than Super Bowls to be shown on this channel though, for sure.

i hope they go under. NFLN is to football what Don King was to boxing.

walmatt says:Oct 14, 2011 12:20 PM

time warners not the only guilty party here…what about the folks at Cablevision

thegonz13 says:Oct 14, 2011 12:23 PM

Goodell plans to fine Time Warner for this!

upperdecker19 says:Oct 14, 2011 12:25 PM

Goodell believes that football in LA and London, as well as an 18 game schedule are much more important to fans than watching CURRENT Thursday night games…….shrewd.

txpackerfan says:Oct 14, 2011 12:31 PM

I am so disappointed in TWC. If they can’t get this done I will be off to ATT uverse

wuznotsobad says:Oct 14, 2011 12:34 PM

This doesn’t affect me as I get the NFLN, but I have to admit there’s something about the Golf Channel kicking the NFL’s butt in marketing that makes me shake my head and smile – once again showing how desperately Pete Rozelle is missed and how clueless Goodell is…

steelersmichele says:Oct 14, 2011 12:40 PM

I remember during the lockout Goodell kept saying he cares about the fans. If he really cared, he’d make sure all of us can watch the games on Thursday night.

They actually have live streaming outside of the U.S, called Gamepass. It’s a very good program. I’m sure there are all kinds of legal and contractual obligations that prevent them from doing it in the states though, which is unfortunate.

castleanthrax says:Oct 14, 2011 1:17 PM

Our cable provider, which is a subsidiary of Time Warner, just made available the NFL Network and RedZone. Of course you need to pay about $10/mo for each, but hey negotiate it with the cable company and see what you get. Worked for me.

However as some have stated it is frustrating that some don’t even have a choice in the matter as their cable service provider does not offer the channel. That is what sucked for the past 7 years in my market.

And a dish is never an option where I live here in NE. Too many damn trees.

trollhammer20 says:Oct 14, 2011 1:20 PM

bobwhitequail says:
Oct 14, 2011 10:57 AM
They are barking up the wrong tree. Look at netflix, everything is live streaming now. Just create a live streaming network and everyone will tune in via the internet. No cable co. required.

________________________________

They have live streaming, but it’s only available to DirecThieVes subscribers. DTV will also sell you live internet access for $350 for the season if you can prove you live in a place where you can’t get a satellite dish (dorm room, north-facing apartment, etc.).

The NFL needs to wake up, dump DirecTV, and start selling the live streams directly to consumers. The days of TV networks as content providers are slowly but surely being choked off. Bypass DTV, Time Warner, and everyone else by selling subscription streaming service. Make it a la carte (only pay for the games you want to see) or sell season passes. Whatever. Just get rid of the corporate middleman who uses your product to suck more money out of consumers, cut consumers a better deal than what they are already getting, and reap the profits for yourself.

I like Bob Papa (our home radio and TV guy for the Giants), but I can only get NFLN by going to the bar, because I am on TWC.

Deb says:Oct 14, 2011 2:39 PM

I’m fortunate that I can pay extra for access to the NFL Network, Red Zone, and ESPN U on Comcast. But I’m also forced to include a boatload of sports channels I don’t want or need.

The reason Time Warner won’t work out a similar agreement with the NFL is because they’ve been trying for more than a decade to purchase a Sunday Ticket option and the NFL won’t play ball because of their exclusive contract with DirecTV. As long as the NFL has decided to hold guns to the heads of American fans and force them to buy satellite dishes rather than be able to choose how to watch television in their own homes, this impasse with the cable companies will continue. You better believe it’s the NFL’s fault.

but the NFL should not own a channel available in fewer homes than MLB Network, the Golf Channel, and Speed.

Ouch! When I read the headline my immediate thought was if NFLN is having trouble what about the others? The NFL was the pioneer in having their own network. It’s kind of a shame that MLB Network is availible in more homes.

I have Dish Network. I like how all of the league networks are next to each other…which are next to the ESPN’s n such.

And I only watch NFLN when there is a live game. (same with MLBN, and NHLN)

NFL Network’s regular season games are probably the third or fourth best things on the network. Best is their preseason coverage of almost every game, with one team’s announcers in one half and the other team’s in the 2nd.

I have NFLN on most of the time, and I switched to DirectTV for Sunday Ticket – no looking back. I don’t realize how much I enjoy NFLN until I’m traveling and stuck in a hotel room that doesn’t have it – ESPN’s programming is horrible, and the only time I watch CBS or FOX pregame is in the two minutes that happen to be on before I turn to the Giants game.